Exercise Sneak-Ins: Quick, Easy and Everyday Ways to Incorporate More Exercise Into Your Routine

It's no secret that most of us need to get more exercise on a daily basis. But if you think that this means scheduling time at the gym and spending all of your free hours on a treadmill, think again! Here are some simple ways to incorporate more movement into your daily activities.

The first technique is to walk whenever you can. Park farther away from your office or your destination than you normally would. You can get a lot of exercise by trekking across the parking lot. If the weather permits, park on the other side of the parking lot from where you are headed. You'll not only have an easier time finding a parking space, but you get a great little workout that just takes a few minutes. When you make this a habit, you'll hardly even notice the extra exercise.

Taking the stairs is also a simple way to increase your activity on your day-to-day travels. Avoid escalators and elevators, and take the stairs whenever possible. After the first few days of doing this, you might notice that your legs and knees are feeling worn out. Don't worry too much about this. They'll snap into shape pretty quickly.

If you spend your evenings catching up on your favorite TV shows, why not use that downtime to get more exercise? Position a stationery bike or rowing machine in the TV room, or simply strike a deal with yourself that you'll do some form of exercise during the commercials. Pick a different activity for each commercial break. Do sit-ups, push-ups and jumping jacks during the commercials, and you'll be able to enjoy your favorite programs and still get a bit of activity in.

Better yet, substitute your evening television with a bit of exercise. Take the whole family for a stroll after dinner. This is a great opportunity to catch up with one another and get some exercise at the same time. It will help your children wind down after a busy day and give you a chance to connect with your spouse. Plus, you'll be setting a great example for your kids to follow. If you show them that staying active is important, they'll carry on the habit as they grow older.

Housework and gardening can actually help increase your heart rate. Do active forms of housework like mopping the floor or vacuuming on a regular basis. Group them together in one brisk cleaning session so you can really get your heart rate going. Also, make a point to work outdoors a little each day. Even something as simple as pulling weeds from your garden counts as activity.

Make time for several five- to ten-minute walks throughout your day. Take a walk around during your lunch break and then another during your afternoon break. If you incorporate these short walks throughout your day, you'll be increasing your activity level without sacrificing a whole lot of time.

With these simple changes, you'll be able to raise your heart rate without spending a lot of time working out. Within just a matter of time it will become second nature and you won't even realize you're exercising. And, chances are, you will start to feel more fit over the long term, which might make more vigorous forms of exercise look appealing.